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AMD FX-8150 "Bulldozer" CPU Review - PAGE 1
Carl Poirier - Wednesday, October 12th, 2011 Like (3) Share (1)The wait is finally over! No more delays, no more teasing, no more slow-rolls. AMD's Bulldozer is here, and the eagerness of Neoseeker's readers to know how it performs can be felt throughout the network. Why has the wait been so long? AMD has designed Bulldozer from the ground up, and thus it is not simply the follow up to the K10 core like the Llano is. In contrast, Intel's Sandy Bridge has been in talks since 2005, but was revealed to be a mere evolution from the previous series. Six years for a simple upgrade!
The new Bulldozer architecture sounds rather promising based on what AMD has already said about it. The question is, does it actually deliver? In 2006, Intel abandoned its Netburst architecture used since the beginning of the new millenium by releasing the Core architecture, which was derived from 1995's Pentium Pro instead. Will Bulldozer be doomed to a similar destiny? Will it have heat and power consumption problems? Neoseeker's review aims to find out how the first iteration of the new architecture stands - and if it is a viable future.
What's interesting to note is that the Bulldozer architecture is being launched for both the server and desktop markets. In fact, the same dies are being used to manufacture the Zambezi, Valencia and Interlagos processors, which are the desktop, 1-2 socket and 2-4 socket platforms respectively. Can Bulldozer really cater to both markets, though? Its performance in consumer applications will be the deciding factor.
Looking at the specifications, the FX-8150 chip reviewed today seems rather well equipped; this newcomer makes for the first eight-core in its target market. AMD says it has been designed for higher frequencies, and the numbers seen here speak for themselves. The large 16MB of L2 and L3 cache is also quite promising; in previous articles, it became quite clear that the Phenom II's 6MB of L3 cache gave it the edge over the Athlon II. It is also important to remember that with Bulldozer, the modular unit is now comprised of two cores; unlike the previous processors where each individual core could be disabled and and later unlocked, it is now done in pair of two cores, or one module.
| Specifications | |
| Model Number & Core Frequency | FX-8150 / 3.6GHz (4.2GHz Turbo) |
| OPN | FD8150FRW8KGU |
| L1 Cache Sizes |
64K of L1 I-cache per module and 16K of L1 D-cache per core (384KB total L1 per CPU) |
| L2 Cache Sizes | 2MB of L2 data cache per module (8MB total L2 per processor) |
| L3 Cache Size | 8MB (shared) |
| Total Cache (L2+L3) | 16MB |
| Memory Controller Type | Integrated 144-bit wide memory controller, configurable in dual 72-bit channels |
| Memory Controller Speed | Up to 2.2GHz with Dual Dynamic Power Management |
| Types of Memory Supported | Unregistered DIMMs up to PC3-15000 (DDR3-1866MHz) |
| HyperTransport 3.0 Specification | One 16-bit/16-bit link @ up to 5.2GHz full duplex (2.6GHz x2) |
| Total Processor-to-System Bandwidth |
Up to 37.3GB/s total bandwidth [Up to 21.3 GB/s memory bandwidth (DDR3-1333) + 16.0GB/s (HT3)] |
| Packaging | Socket AM3+ 942-pin organic micro pin grid array (micro-PGA) |
| Fab location | GLOBALFOUNDARIES Fab 1 module 1 in Dresden, Germany (formerly AMD Fab 36) |
| Process Technology | 32-nanometer DSL SOI (silicon-on-insulator) technology |
| Approximate Die Size | 315mm² |
| Approximate Transistor count | ~2 billion |
| Max TDP | 125 Watts |
| AMD Codename | "Zambezi" |
The FX-8150 is not the only model that's being launched; as with earlier chips, AMD has played with the number of cores and frequency. It is unknown yet if the disabled modules can be unlocked.
| Model | CPU Base | Turbo Core | Max Turbo | TDP | Cores | L2 Cache | NB | MSRP |
| FX-8150 | 3.6GHz | 3.9GHz | 4.2GHz | 125W | 8 | 8MB | 2.2GHz | $245 |
| FX-8120 | 3.1GHz | 3.4GHz | 4.0GHz | 125W | $205 | |||
| FX-6100 | 3.3GHz | 3.6GHz | 3.9GHz | 95W | 6 | 6MB | 2.0GHz | $165 |
| FX-4100 | 3.6GHz | 3.7GHz | 3.8GHz | 95W | 4 | 4MB | $115 |
Specifications and diagrams are courtesy of AMD.
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The FX-8150 falls just between what I was hoping for and what I expected. Still, it looks good though, and $245 is an amazing price !
the CPU-Z screen on page 4 "test setup, benchmarks & overclocking" shows it to be a 8130P.
so whats the deal?? is this even real? is this a bench comparison of an 8130 or and 8150??
Hitler already found out.
While it's price is competitive to 2500K the point remains that a cpu with double the "cores" 2500K has, delivers similar-to-+25% performance.
I hope to see some updates from AMD (a bios maybe can help things out -- one can always hope) and I believe that the architecture has headroom for improvement just like the first Phenoms had.
Carl, is it possible to add overclocked 2500K/2600K scores?
The A8 3850 is running at about 3.5GHz, the FX 8150 is OC'd at about 4.5GHz
Given the statements about overclocking the A8 though it might be safer to just look at a lower end first generation Bulldozer if I do go that route. Or even just to get a sale chip of the Phenom II :/
FX-8150 vs. i5 2500K.
FX-8150 vs. i7 2600K.
My 980X is still better!
BD can't even beat Thuban. Well, AMD should have played the compatibility card. Those who have a 7XX with a dual-core athlon would be able to upgrade to a Bulldozer. Now, if they are to upgrade they are temped by the 2500K.